In a Time Such as This...COVID-19

As I type this, a good part of the whole world is gripped with a sense of uncertainty about what will happen next. This comes in the aftermath of a new strain of the corona virus that caused the outbreak of a sickness last December 2019 in Wuhan, China. However, in that bleak city that went through its trial of fire ordeal, there is a fresh hope as a section of the many medical volunteers vacate the city today to go back to their own cities, homes and families. The city and the country is making its way back to being healthy, though slowly. On the other hand, other parts of the world are being infected and for some, they are almost hitting rock bottom. The news is filled with statistics of new infections, of deaths, of efforts being made to find a cure - a vaccine, a race against time. Plans are being cancelled or at best being deferred, containment measures introduced and it had been said that "the long haul" is most likely it. Amidst all these, there has also been a bit of light-hearted moments not so much to make the pandemic look light, but to show perhaps the capability of the human spirit to still find time to see hope and joy in the midst of a crisis - the viral Wuhan shake and its adaptation is testament to that, a viral of "good humour" in the midst of a virus of "deadly infection."

So how do we live in these times? Do we choose to live in desperate fear or can we look at this uncertain period of time as an opportunity to learn what it means to live through a time such as this. I would not wish for any generation to face such a global outbreak of a pandemic and I will pray strongly against any such occurrences. But here we are with all our knowledge and advancement shaken and brought down together by a tiny novel virus. The world around is learning to adapt its life and routine around the pandemic so as to still be able to make the most of what they have. I listened to a global leader say (in a broadcast) that a "new normal" is in the making and that is the truth of this moment. A new normal to which we have to learn to adapt as we await the moment for the old normalcy to resume (But I hope in a way, life is never the same after this that despite the pain along the way, the good and best that we have seen remain in the aftermath).

So then, can we salvage the havoc the virus is creating by learning what it means to live in such a time as this? Can we use these trying times to learn what it means to make decisions in the face of an impending threat of global proportion? For once more, in the history of humanity, we are being challenged to make local decisions in the light of a global phenomenon that has far reaching effects. These decisions are not easy and down the road, it may become more drastic. These decisions are to be called for with careful consideration keeping in mind the welfare on whom it is imposed in the light of the impending uncertainty that lies ahead. There is no room for vested interest in a time such as this. This is no time to be masquerading actions nor treat decisions lightly. Yes we do not want the propagation of undue panic and yet neither is not giving it due seriousness warranted. To be living in a pandemic of this proportion could be considered a curse and an evil, and yet in these very times lies the opportunity and the seed for good to take roots and grow. A good many people have looked at grave implications of living through such a time as this and yet the many familial opportunities it entails have been enumerated - for instance social distancing may push away others for a while but bring loved ones closer to bond. A phrase that has been repeated globally has been "we are in this together" and how very true. In such a time as this we will all hopefully learn to do our bit to contribute to lighten the burden of those who bear the brunt of the load of this battle. In such a time as this, we will all hopefully learn to take heed to the cautions given and shared by those who have met face to face the virus ahead of us. And as we live through such a time as this (and may we never face another in our lifetime) may the light of wisdom and prudence shine through in the darkness of uncertainty that hedges us in.